American Whiskey Travels to India with DISCUS Presentation

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American whiskey recently made an educational visit to India.

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) today hosted the ‘Great American Whiskey Experience’, a tasting session at the residence of Scott Sindelar, Minister Counsellor of Agriculture Affairs in Delhi.

The event, supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, featured a presentation on the history and production process of American whiskeys.

It also included a tasting of globally recognized American whiskeys, as well as some brands that are not currently available in India.

“American whiskeys — such as bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, and now American rye — are experiencing significant growth around the globe – but particularly in South Asia,” said Distilled Spirits Council Senior Vice President Christine LoCascio.

“Overall, U.S. distilled spirits exports to India reached almost $4 million in 2014; exports through October 2015 are up 34% over the same period in 2014,” LoCascio added. “We are pleased with the response American whiskeys have received in the India market and are optimistic about further growth.”

The event featured a tasting led by Steve Bashore, Master Distiller at the historical George Washington’s Distillery in Mount Vernon, Virginia.

Explaining the time-honored tradition of whiskey making in the United States, which dates back to the 1700s, Bashore commented, “American whiskeys, such as bourbon, Tennessee whiskeys and American rye, are integral to the history of the United States. Our Founding Father George Washington produced a rye whiskey, the recipe of which we have worked to recreate at the George Washington Distillery at Mount Vernon.”

The event also featured a cocktail presentation by the author and Mumbai-based American Whiskey Ambassador, Shatbhi Basu. She showcased the mixability and versatility of American whiskeys so that participants could compare classic American cocktails, such as the Manhattan and Old Fashioned, head-to-head with bourbon and rye whiskeys.